May 18 Scout Launch
 

After almost 6 months, we were able to get the rocket launches in for the Space Exploration MB for the local troop. This morning was overcast with clouds bottoming out somewhere about 1000-1500 ft, but that was the only problem. Strangely enough (for this area), there was absolutely NO WIND.

I got everything set up and ready for the boys as they started showing up at 8:30. A Space Exploration MB rocket launch has to have a purpose, so the guys chose to measure altitude. I had them buy and build the Alpha (NOT the Alpha III) and everyone used A8-5 motors. One parent served as the operator of the Alti-trak.

Each boy had to do 2 launches for the merit badge, so I told them if the weather held out, we'd do more and I'd bring some of my own arsenal along to show them some different types of rockets. The results varied for each boy depending upon how well he built and prepped his rocket, but most got about 300 to 350 ft up.

This time the wife was able to come out and take photos. I'll download a few and post them here in a little bit.

First Photo

Here I am showing a rookie how to hook up the launcher leads.

Showing the whole bunch on how to use the launcher system.....

Launch!!!!

One showing some of the paint jobs the boys did on their Alphas....

Another one caught just at liftoff....

GOT IT!

Prepping for the second launch. I had to show them how only once, and the boys all took it from there.....

Here I am prepping a G78-10 for launch. I cannot remember the name of the rocket, but it is a LOC Precision kit I bought and built over 13 years ago.

Ignition!!!

This was the first time I used a G78. Nice satisfying roar and great looking green flame.....

In the distance, you can see my eager and energetic recovery crew chasing down the just launched G78 rocket...

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I put my last E60-6 (A.K.A E60-Kaboom), in this old FSI kit that was on it's last legs.

Another view of E60-KABOOM and my Viking with a D20-6 on the pad. The D20 worked perfectly....

The remnant left after E60-KABOOM went KABOOM! I hope one of the kids got a good video I'll post later.... It went up about 30 ft off the pad and then CATOED.

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Retrieving another Alpha launch. BY this time 2 hours ahd passed and the wind started picking up..

Later, when he sends it to me I'll post a video of the G78 launch on utube and put a link in here....

E60 living up to it's well deserved reputation as an M-80

The older scouts talk all the time about my "exploding rockets", so the younger ones always ask if I'll launch one.....

As opposed to the FSI F100 and E60, I always had good luck with the D20 and D18 series motors.
Only had one of those cato as opposed to something like 60+% catos with the E60.
The port-burning 22mm D20 had a much better kick off the pad than the Estes D12.

Yeah, I had a D20-6 I launched yesterday in a Viking. It flew very well for an almost 40 year old engine.